Raises Need Taxpayer Oversight - Approval!

Glenn says it best.....

"When will the citizens of Oklahoma County get smart and stop this charade of permitting elected county officials to vote themselves a raise or two annually?Top county officials will get $123,553 annually, including benefits.
Raises are based on a formula that factors in population and land assessment values.
Guess why we get an automatic 5% annual increase in our ad valorem taxes, even if no improvements are made to your property? When will demand that our Legislature cut this raise to a maximum of 1%?

Or better yet, let the citizens of Oklahoma vote when to raise property taxes. Perhaps we need a petition drive to change the way property tax rates are raised.

County officials are banking on two things: citizens have short memories and school lobbyists will defeat our desires on this subject.
If we let this practice continue, the sky's the limit for county spending.We could find good candidates for these offices for at least 10% less than we're paying."
"Glenn Pollard, Midwest City, letter to Editor, Oklahoman - 9/26

(Gpvn:) Glenns letter, although targeting Oklahoma County in particular, pertains to all counties. It's time for those who pay the tab (taxpayers) to demand an examination of the laws governing pay and retirement/benefits for all elected officials from the Governor to the dog catcher! Many factors have changed over the years!

"It may seem like a major transgression,

In the midst of a growing recession,

But we have the yeas To enact our raise,

And can weather the bad impression."

-Politickles by F.R. DuPlantier

What's YOUR IQ?

A man walked into a very high-tech restaurant in a fancy hotel. As he waited to be seated, he noticed that the Maitre D' was a robot.
The robot clicked to attention and said, 'Sir, there is a one hour wait.
And I am programmed to talk with you until a table is ready.
'Intrigued, the man said, 'OK. 'The robot then asked, Sir, what is your IQ?'
The man answered, 'Oh, about 164.'

The robot proceeded to discuss the theory of relativity, interstellar space travel, the latest medical breakthroughs, etc.The man was most impressed. The next day he returned, But thought he would try a different tack. The robot again asked, 'What is your IQ, sir?' This time the man answered, 'Oh, about 100'.
The robot started discussing NASCAR racing, the latest basketball scores, and what to expect the Red Sox to do this weekend.

The guy had to try it one more time. So the next day he returned.Again the robot asked the question, 'What is your IQ?' This time the man drawled out, 'Uh.....'bout 50. 'The robot clicked, then leaned close and very slowly asked,
'A-r-e y-o-u-r p-e-o-p-l-e g-o-i-n-g t-o
r-e-a-l-l-y n-o-m-i-n-a-t-e H-i-l-l-a-r-y?'

With thanks to longtime friend 'Ed'.

Henry's Lottery Falling Flat!

Oklahoma's lottery is falling on its face and the Lottery Commission plans to cut costs and may have to cut its staff. The Commission's finance and audit committee's dreary budget forecasts for fiscal year 2008 prompted the plans.

In addition, it appears there will be an attempt to amend out a requirement that the Lottery Commission post a 35-percent profit in their third year of operations. This new estimate is 14.8 percent below the estimate upon which the Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations were made, and 8 percent below the June estimate.

The Commission said it is doing all it can to trim operating costs without cutting current staff and advertising expenditures, including moving offices upstairs in their current building and turning the first floor into rental space, and opting not to refill four vacant staff positions.

"I hate to say this with staff in the room but we might have to reduce staff. Any way you look at it, it's not a pretty picture". Executive Director James Scroggins said in explanation of the finance committee's predictions that ticket revenues will remain stagnant through fiscal year 2010 at about $208.2 million.
-McCarville

Shhhhhhh...listen.....yes, it's Vince Orza saying "I told you so."

Investigation of OK County GOP + 2 GOP Legislators?

Jerry Bohnen - NewsRadio 1000 KTOK - reports that it is believed the Oklahoma Ethics Commission has launched an investigation into a 2004 fundraising effort by two officials of the legislature at the time, and the Oklahoma County Republican Party.

It's also believed that notices from the Ethics Commission have been delivered to the Capitol offices of two top State House Republicans.

A source confirms the report in the Oklahoma Political News Service that the Ethics Commission had started looking into alleged campaign donation irregularities.

KTOK has learned the irregularities might have involved tens of thousands of dollars in contributions that had been sought by two highly placed Republicans in the State House in 2004. The money, according to the contact, eventually ended up in the hands of the Oklahoma County Republican party which at the time was chaired by Oklahoma City private investment consultant Al Mertens who has yet to return an inquiry from KTOK News.

At the heart of the controversy, said the source, is whether the money ended up being used as a "directed campaign contribution." Such "directed campaign contributions," under State Ethics rules, are considered to be a violation.

When asked about the investigation, Gary Jones, Oklahoma State Republican party chairman, told KTOK's Reid Mullins on First News today that he knew nothing of the probe.

By law, Ethics Commission officials cannot confirm the existence of any such investigation. And in early stages of the Ethics investigations, only those who were allegedly and directly involved in the matter being questioned would get official notifications. Stay tuned!
-McCarville and others

All Aboard for the Cotton Bowl!

The Heartland Flyer will make a special run to the Cotton Bowl in Texas for the annual Oklahoma Sooners vs Texas Longhorns football rivalry.

A $24. round trip ticket is valid regardless of boarding location between OKC and Dallas. The Flyer will depart OKC Santa Fe Station at 8:25am on Friday Oct. 5, arriving at downtown Dallas Union Station at 2:10pm. The train will make regularly scheduled stops along the way at Norman, Purcell, Pauls Valley, Ardmore, Gainsville, TX, and Ft. Worth.

On return, the Flyer will leave Dallas at 2:30pm Sunday, Oct. 7 and arrive OKC at 9:39pm.

For reservations call (800) 872-7245 and ask for special fare code X237. All aboard!

Chair Gary Jones issues Statement on 'double standard'!

1). State Republican Party Chairman Gary Jones issued this statement: "Oklahoma law restricts Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners from accepting campaign contributions from those they regulate except during a short time frame before and after elections.Now it seems that Oklahoma State Treasurer Scott Meacham is speaking out against the proposed coal-powered electrical plant going so far as to appearing in tv ads.
Has Meacham crossed the ethical line by using his position to influence the final decision? The fact that there is a campaign fund raiser being held for the treasurer next week makes one wonder.

The ol 'double standard' seems to be in play.....

2). State Treasurer Scott Meacham's most recent campaign finance report does not list any "un reimbursed expenses" from last year's campaign even though an upcoming fund raiser ostensibly is being held to help cover those expenses.
Meacham's spokesman, Tim Allen, said the fund raiser, hosted by Democrat Mike Turpen and Republican Burns Hargis, partners on KFOR-TV's "Flashpoint" program, would help cover those expenses.Meacham's report, however, does not list any debt or un reimbursed expenses.
Read stories in full at: http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/

RUMOR circulating has it that Meacham (Henrys appointee, the one who grossly mis-figured how much gambling would produce for ed-u-kation and badly bungled the tobacco compacts with the tribes) is looking toward running for Governor or another higher office. His ads against coal are hoped to foster the imagine he is 'protecting' Oklahomans!!! Yeah right! There ain't no white horse in his barn! Or white hat either!
We've said it before.....NO the candidates!

3). Steve Fair tells it with his weekly column - "Tell Us What We Want to Hear" - at: http://www.stevefair.blogspot.com/

Mainstream Media Ignore Couric Tell-All!

Despite the fact that it’s the first book to present the full story of Katie Couric and her downfall as a TV news anchor, the mainstreammedia have virtually ignored Ed Klein’s revelations about her in hisnew book, “Katie: the Real Story.”
Klein, who has written a string of New York Times best sellers, attributes the blackout to media 'executives’ coziness with Couric and their affinity for her liberal views. Read full story here:http://www.newsmax.com/kessler/media_couric_klein/2007/09/12/31533.html?s=al&promo_code=39EF-1

The Conservative's Conservative: Clarence Thomas

"The Conservative's Conservative: Why Clarence Thomas Makes the New York Times See Red." Review Essay of Henry Mark Holzer's, " The Supreme Court Opinions of Clarence Thomas, 1991-2006."
Oklahoma's own Pat McGuigan offers good insight at <http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/2

Patrick B. McGuigan (M.A. in history, Oklahoma State University) is manager of The MidCity Advocate, a weekly newspaper serving the heart of Oklahoma City. He is the author of Ninth Justice: The Fight for Bork and The Politics of Direct Democracy. He is the editor of seven books on legal policy, including Crime and Punishment in Modern America.

Global Jihadists full of HOT air!

"Most of the disciples of global warming are liberal Democrats who never have enough of our money and believe there are never enough regulations concerning the way we lead our lives. That ought to be enough to give everyone pause, along with emerging evidence that the global warming jihadists may be more full of hot air than the climate they claim is about to burn us up."
-Cal Thomas

Taxing the Handicaped!

To the Editor:

I was shocked to learn that citizens who are hearing challenged must pay local and state tax on hearing aids. This is a tax on the handicapped. Let's call it what it is, the "handicap tax."

My friend's hearing aids cost $4,000 plus $335 local and state tax. Unbelievable that she has to pay a handicap tax to hear her grandchildren, church service, ambulance and fire sirens. Medicare doesn't pay for hearing aids or eye glasses unless surgery is performed. So, many seniors are stuck with this handicap tax if they need to hear and see.

I am asking my Representative and Senator to author a bill to get rid of this unfair handicap tax. I am not a lobbyist. A lobbyist is not needed to bring this issue to the attention of legislators. The peoples' voice and vote can get their attention. So, let your voice be heard on this issue.

V. Midge Sullivan
OK City

There is no tax on eye glasses but you can join Mrs. Sullivan in asking that this ridiculous tax on those with a hearing impairment also be eliminated. Contact your State Senator or Representative!

Stirring the Fried Rice!

According to Democrat Fact Check and posted by McCarville, the man who wants to take US Sen. Jim Inhofes place had this to say in his candidacy announcement on Wednesday:

That's right. The freshman Democrat state senator who aspires to the U. S. Senate declared today that Al-Qaeda has never been in Iraq. That statement is at odds with assessments by intelligence agencies in England, the United States and other nations.

From CNN: Laying out its ideology in a broad manifesto, the group al Qaeda in Iraq -- which has been behind many of the worst attacks, beheading and kidnappings in Iraq -- says the insurgency is in better shape than the United States acknowledges and vows to continue the insurgency and "destroy the American empire." Red Oklahoma has the details, plus video of Senator Andrew Rice's assertion.

NO the Candidates! Rice is Fried!

Fried Rice: Senator Andrew Rice, D - OKC, among the Legislature's most liberal members and one embraced by the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender) coalition,is done before he begins, my opinion.
Rice wants the Democratic nomination to oppose conservative Republican Senator Jim Inhofe next year.

Rice is on the wrong side of almost every issue and will be lucky to match David Walters' poor showing against Inhofe in 2002. Gun control alone would sink Rice, ala Dave McCurdy against Inhofe in 1994.

But McCurdy at least was not openly tied to his party's most liberal Oklahoma members. Rice is and he's already making statements about how conservative Inhofe is, and how that's bad. Here's what one poster on a local Democrat site wrote: "Rice is pro-illegal immigration, pro-gay, pro-raising taxes, pro-gay, pro-abortion on demand, pro-gay...this couldn't happen to a nicer guy. I will not vote for Andy Rice". If that's any indication of the first impression of Andrew Rice as a U. S. Senate candidate, he's toast. Wrong strategy, wrong message. End result: Fried Rice. -the Gadfly

(Gpvn: Rice scored a miserable 10% on the Oklahoma Conservative Index with 100% being most conservative and 0% being liberal) 'We' might also add: Rice is the 'poster child' for all that's wrong with the Dims philosophy and platform!

Meanwhile, 'rumor' says AG Edmondson won't toss his hat in this ring, ditto Gov. Henry. State Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Howe, - who is termed from Legislature - is said to still be looking at the possibility!

Jim Inhofe has done and continues to do an excellent job for Oklahoma! Our votes with JIM!

Sen. Craig Re-visited!

MORE on Sen. Craigs 'to resign or not to resign'.!

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070905/D8RF0EPG1.html

Craig may NOT resign? Thompson (finally) IN?

Late Breaking: According to late news Tuesday, US Sen. Larry "I am not gay, I have never been gay" Craig, R-Idaho, is having second thoughts on resigning his office. Amid allegations of sexual conduct, Craig announced only days ago (Sat) that he would step down effective Sept. 30. Now, Craig may be re-thinking that decision.....no real details at this time. Stay tuned!

Former Sen. Fred Thompson has changed his plans about attending the GOP Presidential debate Wednesday - Sept. 5. Thompson will instead have some 'ads' that will run during the debate time frame and Thompson will make an appearance on the Jay Leno Tonight Show which will air later on Wednesday evening. Thompson is expected to announce his intention to seek the Presidency at midnight on Wednesday or Thursday (both days have been given)...this with a 15 minute film on his web site. The Grapevine tried to find the 'official' web site but didn't have much luck. Found numerous sites for Fred!

The GOP debate will be carried live on FOX News Wednesday eve beginning at 8:00pm CST. Check your area for channel.

Reminder: US Congressman and Presidential candidate Tom Tancredo of CO will be in Oklahoma this week-end. Trancredo will be in OKC, Tulsa, Norman and several other stops attending fund raising events that include a birthday party for State GOP Chair Gary Jones and State GOP V-Chair Cheryl Williams.

GOP Chair Rips Dims; ODP Chair Says Nimmo Not Party Rep!

Democratic State Chairman Ivan Holmes said today an Internet blog post by party official James Nimmo inferring he wishes Republican U. S. Senator Jim Inhofe had been killed in Iraq does not represent the party.
Holmes made his comments to radio station KTOK after Republican State Chairman Gary Jones called on Holmes to repudiate Nimmo's post, which Jones described as "outrageous."

For Gary Jones statement visit: www.okgop.com or for Jones comments and Holmes comments: <http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com>